Introduction/ Background

Why I am investigating this topic?

The effects of global warming on the Northern Spotted Owl lacks primary literature in comparison to the abundant research about the effects of logging on the Northern Spotted Owls.  As climate change is becoming an increasingly important issue, the impacts on a local endangered species is worth investigating. I will attempt to draw a conclusion and evaluate climate change's effects on the Northern spotted owl, to hopefully allow an increased awareness of the endangered species.

Tabs:

 Pages listed on this site consists of  factors affected by climate change that posses a threat to the spotted owls: (Barred Owls, Pine Beetle Outbreaks, Forest Droughts/loss, and Prey Abundance) and the net effect of climate change on the owl: (Survival and Reproduction)

Scope:

 My main focus will be on the Northern Spotted Owls of the Pacific Northwest.

Climate change projections: 

Table 1:Predicted Climate Change of the PNW (Mote et al. 2005)

 Models  of climate change predict warmer temperatures, and increased precipitation for the PNW forecast with variable trends in precipitation over the next 30 years.(Zhang et al. 2007; Salathe´ et al. 2008) (Table 1)An increase in summer moisture deficits will produce longer and more intense summer dry periods. Warming in the PNW  will be most evident at high elevations, away from coastal mountains.(Salathe´et al. 2008).

Increased averaged precipitation is predicted in the PNW (Table 1), although few statistically significant change regional climate model simulations generally predict increases in extreme high precipitation over the next half-century, particularly around the Puget Sound. (Spies et al. 2010)

     
 Spotted Owls Prefer Old-Growth Forests:

The preference of old-growth forests by these owls is supported by much primary literature. Claims such as increased amounts of older forest may contribute to increased
reproductive success have been found(Bart and Forsman 1992). Increases of old growth forest is positively correlated to site occupancy by Northern Spotted Owls (Forsman et al. 1977, Forsman et al. 1984), as well as the finding that owl home ranges contained more old growth than in the surrounding landscape. (Folliard et al. 2000)